2008 in words & pictures: December

DECEMBER

All for coalition's crusade

The Libs, NDP and Bloc sign a historic agreement to bring down the arrogant Harper Tories after the government tables an economic statement with no stimulus package. The PM turns an economic crisis into a national unity crisis, asking the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until late January so he can avoid a non-confidence vote. He gets his wish.

NewMusic's over

Much's NewMusic gets the axe, ending a two-decade run and marking the end of the music video as a cultural vehicle - on the boob tube at least. We can't say we'll miss it.

Kindred crackdown

Fuzz ruin the buzz with an over-the-top bust of popular medpot hangout the Kindred Café. Time for reefer-mad cops to grow op and lay off the weed.

Cop budget fires blanks

Toronto police's budget request for 2009 tops $932 million, most of that for salaries and benefits. Crime, meanwhile, is down by an average 10 per cent. Taxpayers are paying a hefty price for labour peace with the police. Needs to end.

Anti-poverty play

The province's $1.3 billion package marks its first serious bid in decades to erase poverty. For too long too many children have been going to bed hungry.

Iggy pops

Stéphane Dion beats a hasty retreat and Michael Ignatieff is made Liberal leader after a tumultuous two weeks on Parliament Hill. Does Iggy have the right stuff to topple out-of-touch Harper once and for all? A nation holds it breath. Happy holidays.3